"Your answers will be printed verbatim, with no editing, grammatical or otherwise. Answer each question in 150 or less. Responses over the word limit will be still be published, but will be limited only the first 150 words submitted. When answering the questions, be specific and inform the voters of what you plan to do if you are elected."
Question #1
1. Should sobriety be a requirement for a homeless person to be admitted into and to retain residency in Knoxville's permanent supportive housing?
George Wallace: "Once someone moves into a permanent support housing facility, they sign a lease and become a tenant. Tenancy should be based on eligibility (homeless, disabled, etc.) and adherence to the lease requirements should be enforced. In order to live in the apartments, the tenant must abide by the terms of the lease.Case management is provided and is the best avenue to focus on issues such as excessive drinking, compliance with medical advice, social behaviors, etc. I don't think it is reasonable to monitor a tenant's apartment for alcohol."
Marshall Stair: "I believe it should be up to the individual organization managing the property. I think both models can be successful depending on the program."
Bill Owen: "I am somewhat familiar with the good work that Helen Ross McNabb and STEPS House do. Both of these programs are substance free programs and both programs have proven track records of success. I think case management is the key to any program for the homeless. In most cases the question is best left to the people managing the program--especially if it is a private program. There are people who have spent their careers caring for the homeless and trying to achieve the best results. We need to put them in charge of the program and leave it to them to administer it for the best outcomes. However,"
Mark Campen: "no. I support the housing first model and the recommendations of the compassion Knoxville process."
John Stancil: <No response>
Sharon Welch: <Declined to participate>
Finnbarr Saunders: "No; this is not a decision for elected officials to make. This decision should be left up to the operating agency of the permanent supportive facility."
Question #2
2. What specific progress do you reasonably hope to achieve in the following areas: South Waterfront, Central Ave. corridor, and the Magnolia corridor?
Marshall Stair: "Hopefully there will be significant progress on all three plans. As far as specific projects funded by the city, I would have to look at the proposal in the context of an entire budget before making a recommendation. The City is already working on the Warehouse District part of the Magnolia corridor, and I support those efforts. The City might consider completing Waterfront Park in order to spur private investment in the South Waterfront near Sevier Avenue. As for the North Central corridor, with the recent opening of Three Rivers Market, I feel we are making progress that we can build on.""
Bill Owen: "Continue with the existing planning and infrastructure improvements that are budgeted. Get any ordinances, infrastructure and approvals that are necessary and then be ready to move when private investment returns. We have city staff people assigned responsibility for each of these projects and we need to do whatever the city can do to encourage private development in a sustainable manner, use clean up crews and landscaping where possible to make the areas attractive to investment."
Mark Campen: "obviously, available funds will determine what can be accomplished in all of these efforts. A public-private partnership is integral to making them work. First and foremost, working closely with area businesses and neighborhood organizations as to the direction each plan will be initiated is important. There are parts of each that can begin now. I think moving forward with certain aspects, such as facade improvements, litter reduction and pedestrian/ bicycle friendly travel can happen without costing too much."
John Stancil: <No response>
Sharon Welch: <Declined to participate>
Finbarr Saunders: "South Waterfront + Some progress has been achieved with public infrastructure, but in order to encourage private investors, it may require more public infrastructure improvements. One of the key components is the Baptist Hospital facility and how that property can be used. Until that is determined, progress will be difficult. Central Ave. Corridor- The Central Avenue Corridor is a good example of how public infrastructure improvements can lead to revitalization of an underutilized area leading to business growth and development. Magnolia Corridor- The Magnolia Corridor is possibly the most challenging of the three. A comprehensive plan exists that was developed with business and neighborhood input and was adopted by City Council in 2009. With David Dewhirst's plan to develop White Lily Flour, movement may be on the horizon. There is increasing potential with the stabilization of the Park Ridge Neighborhood, the advent of the Knoxville Botanical Garden, the Cansler YMCA, and..." <response exceeded word limit>
George Wallace: "South Waterfront: This project is dependant upon the replacement of the 2000+/- jobs that were lost with the closing of Baptist Hospital. Work closely with the property owner and offer assistance as is feasible to encourage responsible redevelopment. Central Ave.: Great progress is occurring in this area I have participated on the KCDC Advisory Committee working specifically with business and property owners in this area. I expect to see continued revitalization. The success should be the benchmark for the rest of the city. Magnolia Corridor: Assemble local business owners, concerned citizens and local elected officials who have a passion to see revitalization occur. Seek answers as to why so many businesses have recently vacated the Magnolia corridor and address those specific concerns. Concentrate efforts beginning with the areas already having some success and build out from there. Facade grants will entice investors to develop commercial properties."
Question #3
3. Do current regulations and expenditures targeted at improving water quality bring enough value to the community to justify them?
Bill Owen: "I think it is vital for KUB to continue its efforts to get storm water out of the sewers and prevent the overflow during storms that puts sewage into the river. It is expensive, but we are paying the price for years of neglect in this area. I think we could do more to clean up the creeks that flow through town into the river, possibly mobilizing volunteer crews to get the trash out of the creeks. We need to find places were private sewers are leaking into the creeks and use the legal process to encourage cleanup."
Mark Campen: "yes. More can be done without costing taxpayers an arm and a leg."
John Stancil: <No response>
Sharon Welch: <Declined to participate>
Finbarr Saunders: "Yes. In fact regulations from the state government (TDEC) and federal government (EPA) are being strengthened; and Knox County and Knoxville City have been working together for over a year to ensure the necessary complince."
George Wallace: "Water quality is a long-term investment that may not show its benefits for some time to come. There are federal, state and local regulations pertaining to water quality. The City is required to implement the federal and state regulations. Yes, the City spends a significant amount of money towards improving water quality by compliance. Local developers bare the cost to comply with the water quality regulations as related to new developments. I am concerned that the regulations don't always have a practical application. Solutions need to be practical and simple"
Marshall Stair: "Yes. Water quality is important and we must work to clean our lakes and rivers. These are some of our most valuable assets and we need to make sure they are clean and safe. In addition, it is important the Knoxville comply with the Clean Water Act to avoid lawsuits."
Question #4
4. What are your specific plans to improve connectivity in Knoxville?
Mark Campen: "I would promote funding through grants and support from the city, greenway coalition, TPO and private sponsors. There are plans already in place for connections. Groups like Fountain City connections and the city greenways commission (which needs a new chairperson, also a replacement for Donna Young as the greenways coordinator) can help promote connections. Cost is high so we will have to get creative.
Mass public transit and non-motorized travel connections need to be improved, especially UT to downtown. The plan proposed to address Henley Street while the bridge is closed should get more attention quick!"
John Stancil: <No response>
Sharon Welch: <Declined to participate>
Finbarr Saunders: "We have 50 miles of Greenways, so now we need to link these. There is an existing bike/pedestrian lane on the Gay Street Bridge. A bike lane on the Henley Street Bridge is slated for completion in 2013. And there is a proposed pedestrian bridge which would connect South Knoxville with the University. With the advent of the Urban Wilderness (1,000 areas) in South Knoxville, trails are being developed (through a public-private partnership) to connect the pieces in the south. The East Sector has the fewest miles of Greenways. Greenway development needs to be enhanced in the east, so I would propose that we focus here as we consider the 2012 capital budget. We need to make sure we connect bikeways/Greenways throughout the city."
George Wallace: "As a City, we have to make installing new sidewalks a higher priority. We should expand the current ordinance of requiring new sidewalks on major road improvements to include requiring new sidewalks in connection with new commercial construction or major renovation to an existing commercial building. From a safety standpoint and a connectivity standpoint, we need to add 3 miles of new sidewalks a year. Sidewalks and greenways connect neighborhoods to other neighborhoods; connect neighborhoods to businesses. Knoxville can become a more walkable and bike friendly city with reasonable care."
Marshall Stair: "I support continuing to fund sidewalk repair and connecting greenways. By connection our existing greenways we will increase their use and usefulness."
Bill Owen: "If this question refers to the highway system, I think we have motorways in pretty good shape. As a Member of the State Senate, I led the effort to provide 1 cent of the state gas tax for local roads. Knoxville continues to benefit from that effort. We also need to expand green ways, bike trails, and blue ways and complete the master plan for these. KAT trolleys are doing a good job moving people around downtown and its efforts need to be supported. If this question refers to the Internet, I think Knoxville should explore being a WI-FI City. Over 100 cities across the country are WI-FI Cities. There are three basic models--private, public/private partnership and public. Knoxville needs to decide which plan is best for Knoxville and create "hot spots" around the city where people can "get outside and get online." Chattanooga has recently announced it will..." <response exceeded word limit>
Question #5
5. Describe your participation in and your familiarity with the creation of the Hillside and Ridgetop Protection Plan, including the issues surrounding its adoption.
John Stancil: <No response>
Sharon Welch: <Declined to participate>
Finbarr Saunders: "Over the three years that the plan was being developed, I attended several of the committee and sub-committee meetings in order to listen to and to try to understand the plan. Now that the plan has been given to the legislative bodies (City Council and County Commission) for implementation, I fully support the two bodies coming up with a mutually-agreed upon plan; we need one regulation for both the city and the county. There seems to be general agreement on the preservation of our ridgetops. The disagreements center around slope percentages. The plan has been re-worked by the MPC and submitted to County Commission and will be submitted to City Council."
George Wallace: "I am familiar with the HRPP. Initially, I was not in favor of the original plan as it was presented. I support the outcomes of a newly compromised plan that balances private property rights and protection. I propose a new provision that provides special protection for the ridgetops so that the views and vistas will be preserved. Call it a ridgetop protection zone and greatly limit any development above a certain elevation. Enforcement of a HRPP should be addressed. The plan should be practical and easy to understand."
Marshall Stair: "I think the hillsides and ridges are valuable assets and I am hopeful that the joint committee will come up with a plan that is acceptable to the City Council, County Commission, and the stakeholders. Inappropriate development on hillsides leads to erosion, flooding, and degraded water quality. I support property rights- but for all property owners, those with property on steep hillsides and those with property downhill from them. The County Commission defeated the plan it its current form and I am hopeful that a compromise will be reached that is acceptable to the County Commission"
Bill Owen: "I think this plan cries out for compromise. I am leery of development in high places, though I have questions as to whether the specifics of this plan are too strict. We need to approve a plan that protects the most fragile of our high places, but does not stifle all development. Hopefully we can have a plan that is the same as the county's plan."
Mark Campen: "I was a member of the task force and chair of the Land Use committee. I support the plan and encourage the city to pass the plan without much, if any, alteration. There were compromises made throughout the process and I support the plan as long term conservation of one of our regions most valuable natural resources."
© Copyright
League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
![[LWV]](images/lwv76.gif)
